Thank You For The Confinement, Grand Duke! - Chapter 73.1

After returning from the lakeside, we stayed close, almost inseparable, except for brief moments when he went to the kitchen to put away the picnic basket or when I needed to use the restroom. However, with the earlier embarrassment still fresh in my mind, I found it hard to take things any further.

Such a special occasion!

“Chaperil.”

“Yes?”

“The book is getting crumpled. Is your hand hurting? Would you like me to hold it for you?”

This guy.

I was gripping the book tightly enough to crumple it! If my hand was hurting, would it feel like that?

“It’s fine. I think my position is just a bit uncomfortable.”

Recently, I often found myself sitting sideways on the sofa bed while Enfrise sat across it. Ever since I almost fell off the sofa once, we had continued this way.

So, it wasn’t that uncomfortable, but I had no excuse, so I just said it.

“I see… It seems I can’t support you properly without a backrest.”

Thinking about it, it was impressive that he could bear my weight without a backrest. He must be feeling more uncomfortable than I was.

“Is it hard for you?”

“It’s fine. It’s good exercise.”

…Huh?

“It actually allows me to think about other things.”

…Huh?

“Other things?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of things?”

“Just… how I can help you feel comfortable. If I move now, it might disturb you. Things like that.”

What else could he be thinking about…? Of course, I knew what he was thinking. That was why I felt a bit conflicted. Part of me wanted him to think that way, and part of me wanted him not to.

“Chaperil.”

“Yes.”

“Your expression looks scary.”

….

Am I, by any chance, making a lecherous face right now? Is that what he means by scary?

“Ahem. I think it would be better if Enfrise leaned against the backrest instead of sitting like this.”

“If I do that, it would be uncomfortable for you.”

“Umm…”

I wasn’t uncomfortable, and it seemed like there should be a way for Enfrise to sit comfortably, too…

I closed the book and placed it on the table. At the same time, something with a backrest caught my eye.

Wouldn’t that work for both of us? But… would it seem like I was trying to tempt him? Enfrise was great. I wanted to stay close and have physical contact, but something indescribable kept lingering like a splinter under my fingernail, preventing me from crossing the final line.

“Um… Enfrise.”

“Yes.”

“Could you hear me out without misunderstanding?”

“Misunderstanding?”

“I’m not saying this with any ulterior motives or in a bad way. I’m just genuinely trying to find a way for both of us to sit comfortably, and I’m worried you might misinterpret it as something lecherous.”

As I subtly directed my gaze upward, I noticed Enfrise looking at me with a puzzled expression.

Unable to meet his eyes, I quickly looked away and muttered softly.

“Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“I mean… over there, wouldn’t it be comfortable for both Enfrise and me?”

Not daring to look directly at him, I pointed with my finger. A moment later, I felt his body stiffen against my back.

“….”

“Really, I have no ulterior motives! I just thought it would be comfortable to say that!”

Thinking about it, the more I denied it, the more suspicious I seemed. It was definitely suspicious. Nonetheless, if I stayed silent, I felt he might misunderstand.

“…That place seems a bit much.”

“Oh, I figured as much.”

Ahem. Yes, the bed was a bit much.

“I’m fine as it is, but… are you very uncomfortable?”

“I thought it might be tough for you, Enfrise.”

“I’m really okay.”

‘Well… if he says he’s okay.’

I picked up the book from the table again. As I opened it, I suddenly had a thought.

‘…But is it okay to spend his birthday like this?’

I wasn’t sure how to put it, but my birthdays had always been uneventful. Meanwhile, my younger brother’s birthdays were filled with parties and friends. It was surprising how many friends that temperamental brother of mine had, especially considering the amount of food needed—sometimes enough for twenty or thirty people, which meant hauling out huge pots the night before.

Even though Enfrise wasn’t formally recognized, he was still a Grand Duke and a blood relative of the emperor. Was it really okay to let his birthday pass by like this?

“Enfrise.”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you want to do something else?”

“Something else…?”

“It’s your birthday. If you feel a bit disappointed just spending it with me, you could meet other people outside…”

We see each other every day, so spending his birthday together shouldn’t be the only option. My younger brother seems to enjoy it, and it might be nice for him to spend time with others.

But as I mentioned it…

“Are you tired of being with me?”

Why was it turning out this way? Lately, he had become increasingly suspicious in strange ways. Previously, he worried most about me running away, but now he seemed to be worried about whether I found our time together boring.

Well, I guess I feel that way too.

“I could look at Enfrise’s face for a lifetime and never get tired of it. You blush when I tease you, and sometimes you look handsome. You’re cute. Why would I get tired of you?”

“Then, please don’t try to send me away.”

“I don’t mean that. I just thought it would be nice to do something special since it’s a special day. It’s okay if you want to do something different with someone else.”